Essex CC has reopened its first post office which was earmarked for closure in a ground-breaking deal to look after its communities. Last weekend saw Essex leader Lord Hanningfield reopen a branch, seven months after it was closed by the Post Office. Essex pledged to take on 15 of the 31 recently closed branches in the county. The council will now pay the sub-postmaster to run services for local people. Lord Hanningfield, described the deal as ‘a truly ground-breaking and hugely significant development'. ‘This is exactly what effective local government should be doing. Identifying local needs and priorities and delivering on them for local people,' he added. His efforts have been commended by LGA chairman, Margaret Eaton, who described it as a ‘step in the right direction'. ‘Essex CC has demonstrated the innovation and initiative to help save some of the vital post office services earmarked for closure. The role post offices play in helping people who conduct their financial affairs in cash is vital,' she said.